In a landscape where music festivals often chase fleeting trends, Milk + Cookies Music Week South Africa 2026 stands apart as a thoughtful ode to South Africa’s boundless creative spirit. What began as an Atlanta-based venture has evolved into a cross-continental movement, and this year’s return from 17 December 2025 to 13 January 2026 reinforces its mission to go beyond the stage.
Curated in partnership with local SA creatives, opinion leaders, and industry pioneers, the month-long series of events is designed to engage communities, educate emerging talents, empower underserved voices, and celebrate the nation’s innovative heritage, proving that true cultural impact lies in reciprocity and shared growth.
Co-headlined by global hip-hop icon Gunna and R&B duo Majid Jordan, the festival culminates in two high-energy stages, but its heart beats in the programming that bridges Atlanta’s bold creativity with SA’s rich traditions. This collaboration not only honours SA’s cultural depth but also amplifies its role in shaping global resonance, drawing international audiences to witness a fusion of sounds and stories that inspire worldwide connections.
Cape Town MCMW Schedule
Cape Town’s lineup kicks off with events that capture the city’s vibrant lifestyle, blending celebration with empowerment to foster SA’s artistic resurgence.
HO! HO! HO! CHRISTMAS PARTY with Edition Events | 25 December 2025: Together transforms the warehouse into a festive wonderland filled with warmth, magic, and the festive season spirit. Whether naughty or nice, this is Cape Town’s ultimate festive season party, featuring talent from JHB and CPT, like Rosey Gold, 2shoes, Insertcoinz x International Pantsula, Rarri, and Shaxes.
Location: Hearty Collective/The Old Biscuit Mill
Tickets: https://www.howler.co.za/events/ho-ho-ho-xmas-party-cpt-808f
STEM Wars: Producer Beat Battle | 27 December 2026: A fast-paced producer showdown where eight creators go head-to-head crafting original beats across three high-pressure rounds. Powered by RLMC × Suno, the battle tests creativity, speed, and pure skill – and only one producer walks away with the crown.
Location: Private Event
Writing Camp | 27-28 December 2025: A curated two-day experience uniting artists, producers, and songwriters across South Africa and the diaspora. The camp facilitates deep collaboration and cultural exchange, turning limited access into pathways for growth, and empowering aspiring creatives with industry insights.
Location: Private Event
MCMW + Rap Plug | DOT CONNECTOR MUSIC PANEL | 29 December 2025: A flagship thought-leadership and cultural forum designed to bridge global music, media, fashion, and tech leaders with emerging African talent and entrepreneurs. The event champions meaningful conversations, career pathways, and collaborative opportunities shaping the future of culture, featuring talent like V Script, Kim Smith, Karl Carter, Camille Anidi (and more) to bridge North American and South African industry insights and empower emerging talent. Sound curated by DJ KIXI during intermissions.
Location: InUWell Waterfront
Tickets: https://www.howler.co.za/events/dot-connectors-cpt-7632
M+C Honorary Mixer Brunch | 2 January 2026: This intimate, invite-only event will celebrate key talent, cultural leaders, and brand partners shaping the creative economy across music, fashion, and tech. The mixer serves as the ceremonial start to the week’s activations and a moment of gratitude for collaborators who’ve elevated the Milk + Cookies movement.
Location: Private
M+C Yacht Party | 2 January 2026: To elevate Milk + Cookies Music Week, we’re hosting an exclusive yacht party. This invite-only sunset sail unites creatives, tastemakers, cultural leaders, and brand partners for a beautiful evening on the coast.
Location: Private Event
Cape Town Festival | Saturday, 3 January 2026: Milk + Cookies Music Week 2026 climaxes with a high-energy showcase co-headlined by Gunna and Majid Jordan. The line-up Gunna, Majid Jordan, Nasty C, Dlala Thukzin, YoungstaCPT, Vigro Deep, TenOceans, 2woBunnies, Mshayi, Rarri, Bella Worldwide
Location: Kenilsworth Racetrack
Milk and Cookies Festival AfterParty | 3 January 2026: A curated nightlife experience for festival-goers and beyond, extending the festival’s energy with music, networking, and community vibes.
Location: TBD
Johannesburg MCMW Schedule
Johannesburg’s events channel the city’s industry scale, emphasising empowerment and community-driven impact to inspire SA’s next generation.
Special Delivery: Community Giveback Mission | 6 January 2026: A community give-back moment in Lion of Judah, celebrating youth and creativity through music, games, joy, and connection. The activation reflects the heart of Milk + Cookies by meeting communities where they are, providing hope and helping them start a new year, featuring talent like DJ VINO to foster reciprocity and economic uplift through local partnerships.
Location: Lion of Judah
MCMW + Rap Plug Present: DOT CONNECTOR MUSIC PANEL | 7 January 2026: Johannesburg’s edition of the Dot Connectors forum gathers global executives, innovators, artists, and cultural leaders for a day of meaningful dialogue and collaborative exploration across music, tech, media, fashion, and content. Designed to build careers and expand creative networks, featuring talent like V Script, Kim Smith, Karl Carter, Camille Anidi (and more) to bridge North American and South African industry insights and empower emerging talent. Sound curated by DJ TNXBK during intermissions.
Location: ALX
Tickets: https://www.howler.co.za/events/dot-connectors-jhb-285d
Out The Oven: A Merch Pop Up Experience with Socioculture | 7 January 2026: “Out the Oven” brings the festival’s fresh creative heat with exclusive releases, curated drops, creators, and that unmistakable Music Week electricity. A cultural warm-up filled with special moments and brand-new energy, featuring talent like BILAL DA DJ, FRANADILLA, JADE T, DON DELICIOUS and LOCHIVE.
Location: Neighbarhood
Tickets: https://www.howler.co.za/events/out-the-oven-merch-pop-up-jhb-6236
Honorary Mixer Hosted by Black Music Mogul Brunch | 8 January 2026: This intimate, invite-only networking event will connect key talent, cultural leaders, and brand partners shaping the creative economy across music, fashion, and tech. The mixer serves as the ceremonial start to the week’s activities and a moment of gratitude for collaborators who’ve elevated the Milk + Cookies movement.
Location: Private
Wunna Run Club. 5K Race | 9 January 2026: A curated fitness event uniting runners and creatives for a 5K race, promoting health, community, and connection. This experience blends physical challenge with SA’s cultural energy, inspiring participants to push boundaries and celebrate shared resilience.
Location: TBD
Johannesburg Festival | Saturday, 10 January 2026: Milk + Cookies Music Week 2026 peaks with a dynamic performance co-headlined by Gunna and Majid Jordan, uniting international hip-hop with SA’s urban energy. Performances by Gunna, Majid Jordan, A-Reece, Blxckie, DJ Speedsta, DJ Kent, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela, Dwson, Fiflaaa, Pona x Nkly, Jinji & more.
Milk + Cookies Festival After Party | 10 January 2026: A curated nightlife experience for the festival goers and beyond, extending the night’s energy with music, networking, and community vibes.
Location: TBD
Soundset Sundays | 11 January 2026: A social finale and takeover event blending music, creativity, and community. This event unites festival-goers for a final celebration, empowering local talent and showcasing SA’s cultural depth in a vibrant, inclusive space.
Location: TBC
Writing Camp | 12-13 January 2026: A curated two-day experience uniting artists, producers, and songwriters across South Africa and the diaspora. The camp facilitates deep collaboration and cultural exchange.
Location: Private Event
“Returning to South Africa feels like coming home for us, its culture has this incredible pull that we’ve felt from the start, shaping how we approach everything” said Jhordan Gibbs, Director of Artist and Sponsor Relations at Milk + Cookies. “These events, like the writing camps and panels, are our way to truly give back, connecting aspiring creatives with real tools and networks to build their futures. It’s beautiful seeing young SA artists light up with possibilities; we’re here to empower them because SA’s creative spirit deserves that respect and investment.
“We’re back in SA because building genuine community is what drives us – it’s not just business, it’s personal,” said Greg Burton, Founder of Milk + Cookies. “This place has an unmatched talent that inspires us every time, and we’re committed to celebrating and uplifting it through programming that opens doors for locals.”
Fans can secure tickets for Milk & Cookies Music Week starting Friday, 5 December 2025.
Tickets can be purchased via the Howler links above.
More information and announcements at Milkandcookiesfestival.com
